Once we have an image, there is still one small step remaining: to make it real. Work prints and exposures and all the decisions back to the flower itself are but sketches for the photograph. There is something about the artifact itself, its size and sheen, the way mat and frame set it apart from the room, that take it beyond its past and its process to give it a life of its own.

In our seventh discussion about photographing flowers, we looked at images we had selected and the presentations they each called for. The photograph is not mere decoration; its palette is not adjusted to match carpet and drapes. The photograph’s ability to stand on its own can be both spoiled and assured with these final decisions. We looked at the works on the gallery walls and discussed options of size, color, grain and gloss.

This was our last session. The exhibition is now closed and another has taken its place. But it is September, and dahlias are here. This set of lessons will be expanded and illustrated in the upcoming booklet, based on the Benham Gallery demonstrations using the flowers from Buckets.